Leadership

Dr. Mirza Faizan Ahmed – Focal Person, CIFFT

Dr. Mirza Faizan Ahmed is an academic and finance professional serving as the In charge and Assistant Professor at the Department of Economics and Management Sciences (EMS), NED University of Engineering and Technology. He is also the focal person of the Centre for Islamic Finance and FinTech (CIFFT), contributing to its academic, research, and strategic initiatives.

Holding a PhD in Applied Economics from the Applied Economics Research Centre (AERC), University of Karachi, along with an MBA in Finance, Dr. Faizan brings expertise in empirical research, financial modeling, and policy analysis.

With over a decade of teaching and research experience, his work spans financial markets, institutional development, forecasting, and public finance. At CIFFT, he helps bridge Islamic finance and technology through research-driven insights, curriculum development, and industry collaboration – advancing CIFFT’s mission to develop and promote ethical and innovative financial solutions.

Ahmar Aleem – Manager, CIFFT

Ahmar Aleem is an experienced academic and finance professional who serves as the Manager of the Centre for Islamic Finance and FinTech (CIFFT) at NED University. With over 16 years of teaching experience, including more than 8 years at the university level, he has contributed to student learning across several leading institutions in Karachi. He is currently a Lecturer in the Department of Economics and Management Sciences at NED University.

Ahmar combines his academic expertise with several years of corporate finance experience and deep functional knowledge of ERP systems such as SAP and Oracle. His cross-sector exposure allows him to bridge theory with practice — a strength that aligns closely with CIFFT’s mission of integrating industry insights into academic and entrepreneurial development.

At CIFFT, Ahmar oversees centre operations, strategic planning, and the development of collaborative initiatives between academia, industry, and emerging Islamic FinTech startups. He is also leading efforts to design training programs and incubation activities that nurture the next generation of ethically grounded FinTech professionals.

In addition to his technical and managerial strengths, Ahmar is a TESOL Canada–certified educator, which enhances his ability to lead workshops, training sessions, and knowledge-sharing forums effectively. His strong communication skills and learner-centered approach position him to support CIFFT’s educational and outreach goals, particularly as the centre engages diverse stakeholders from academia, finance, and technology.